The Need drives

Our Why.

This is why we care so much about the mental health of black teens and why you should care too.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measure by the compassionate action of its members.”

-Coretta Scott King

The community is impacted greatly when African American youth mental health is not being addressed and talked about.

Intergenerational trauma is passed down generation after generation when there is not someone who can break the cycle. Black trauma affects the entire community as we see a lack of access to health care, greater crime and drug use as well as disruptions in education. Choose to DO, Inc. serves as a catalyst for culturally appropriate personal development related to mental health education for African American youth. We see the effects on society, our communities, and the individual when this need is not met and the role Choose to DO, Inc. can play in fulfilling this need.

Our Programs Impact…

Through our diverse programming, Choose to DO, Inc. impacts many lives.

The Student

We directly impact the lives of black teens between the ages of 12-17.

Parents

The parents are at the forefront of seeing the impact that our programming is having on the lives of the students we serve.

Youth peers

This includes youth not in the program but others who interact with the students on a regular basis through school and other activities.

Volunteers

Anyone who volunteers to assist with our programming from our diverse network of corporate volunteers to our community partners.

Community-at-large

These are educators, coaches, church members, family, friends and other people the student interacts with outside of their home.

After engaging in our programs, students can expect to experience…

a more positive mindset
increased self-esteem
less anxiety
more self-awareness and self-control
better interpersonal skills

All these benefits lead to better outcomes in school and beyond.

Get involved

Learn more about our why

Needs Assessment

Learn more about what’s behind our mission and WHY we do what we do to help Black youth. Download a copy of our Needs Assessment Report.

Download Your copy

11807 Westheimer Rd, Suite 550 #1033, Houston, TX 77077

713 - 291 - 6141 | Email Us

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Dozie Oheri

My name is Dozie Oheri and I am the Founder/CEO of Choose to DO, Inc. My role as the Chief Executive Officer includes the administration/supervision of the administrative office and the programs or services provided to the community and accountable directly to the organization’s Board of Directors. I have a minor in Entrepreneurship and a bachelor's degree in Health Science from Texas A & M University Corpus Christi and a Masters in Public Administration from The University of Phoenix. I am a board member of the Westchase District Community Fund that exists to organize and provide resources to produce or support local projects, programs and events which create a positive impact on the quality of life in Westchase. I am a member of The Race Equity Leadership Collective that is reshaping research, advocacy and policy landscapes to equitably center BIPOC voices often marginalized by systemic racism, appropriated, exploited and silenced.

Michael Yawson

Michael Assibu Yawson is an Operations person with more than 10 years of working experience within the microfinance industry. Mr. Assibu has an MSc in Accounting and Finance from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST, 2018), an Accounting Degree from Methodist University College (2010), and an HND from Accra Polytechnic (2006). He worked as the Administrator and Operations Team Member and worked as the Accountant of ASA Ghana from September 2007 exactly a year after school to January 2013. Before Joining ASA Ghana he worked in Ghana Revenue Authority (VAT Services, National Service) and the accounting department of different organizations. He was the first and pioneer Ghanaian staff of ASA Ghana now ASA Savings and Loans Company Limited (ASA S&L). Michael helped establish the company with 54 branches and over GHS 40 million in Loan Portfolio, GHS 14 million in Deposits, and over 75, 000 borrowers across 4 regions of Ghana. He has helped established about 4 different microfinance companies with a total loan portfolio of about GHS 10 million, GHS 5 million in Deposits and 10,000 borrowers. Business Projections and Development, Management Reports, Microfinance Implementation, Supervision of Operational level staff – Branch Managers & Credit Officers (Loan Officers), report writing and analytical abilities forms his major skills and abilities and he is also a team player, hard worker and a good communicator.

Johnique Lang

Johnique Lang is an active board member of Choose to Do, Inc and serves as the Chair of the Nominating Committee. Her duties as a board member include but are not limited to providing oversight in the areas of board governance, program development, operational funding, and seeing that Choose to DO, Inc fulfills its obligations to its vision and mission. In addition, as chair of Nominating Committee, Johnique is also responsible for identifying potential candidates for current or upcoming vacancies and works diligently toward attracting and securing top talent, by overseeing and participating in the committee's role in identifying, recruiting, screening, and interviewing candidates for boardman leadership positions.

Franka Baly

Franka Baly is the Owner of Franka Baly Media, LLC, a branding, web development, and user experience consulting firm located in Houston, TX. She serves as the Creative Director for the company. She has spent the majority of her 25+ career improving the digital experience for an array of different users. She was formerly the Operational Director at the Prince Complex where she oversaw the funding and development of their after-school and summer school programs that impacted the lives of hundreds of youth in Fifth Ward. Franka holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Houston and a Master's degree in Counseling from Prairie View. She is passionate about mentoring and exposing black youth to Tech so they can impact the next generation of innovative solutions.

Tolupe Lawani

Tolulope is Product Manager leading Gaming & Sustainability Services product development and innovation efforts within the Consumer Services and Subscriptions team for the PS Services Organization at HP Inc,

Tolulope joined HP in May 2011 from Etisalat & over his 12-year+ career, Tolulope has held a variety of consumer-focused roles across spanning marketing, trade marketing, finance, retail & digital sales, and most recently product management.

Tolulope is not only passionate about his career, but he is also enthusiastic about giving back to the community. He is the former regional lead for sustainability initiatives in Central Africa where he collaborated with local and global NGO’s to reduce the digital divide in the region by connecting individuals & professionals in underserved communities to tech skills they required to make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond. Tolulope is also active on social media and focused on sharing content that inspires people in his community to do good and be the best versions of themselves daily.

Tolulope is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Benin, Nigeria with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Executive Education Certificates from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology & Harvard Business School.

Crystal Donatto Brown

Crystal Donatto Brown is an educational consultant specializing in providing individualized support to school leaders and teachers in the form of mentorship, coaching, professional development, and strategic planning. She also facilitates leadership development to middle and high school students from across the world. Previously Crystal served as an educational leader in both nonprofit organizations and public school systems. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Southern University and A&M College and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. Presently, Crystal serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors for Choose to DO, Inc. where she is responsible for recording and maintaining all official records of the organization. She is also active and holds leadership positions in the following community service organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - Alpha Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter (Charter Member); The Links, Incorporated - Gulf Coast Apollo (TX) Chapter (Vice President of Programs); Pearls of Lake Houston Educational and Charitable Foundation (President of the Board of Directors), and Southern University and A&M College Alumni Federation.

Chakema Carmack

Dr. Chakema Carmack serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Choose to DO, Inc. Her responsibilities as Vice President include supporting the President in all Choose to DO, Inc. strategies and initiatives, as well as spearheading the organization's annual retreat. Dr. Carmack serves Choose to DO, Inc. with skills and interests that include federal and foundation grant writing, program effectiveness analytics, and a passion for healthy adolescent development, particularly regarding youth of color. Dr. Carmack is a community psychologist by-training and an Associate Research Professor at the University of Houston within the Psychological Health & Learning Sciences Department, where she oversees a social sciences research lab and teaches graduate and undergraduate courses.

Brooke Eben

Brooke Eben serves as the Board Chair for Choose to DO, Inc., and works to ensure that we are meeting our annual fundraising and outreach goals and supports the organization by providing insight, resources, and key stakeholders for the organization. She focuses on leading the board and serving as the POC on board-related issues. In addition, she works as an HR Technology Leader in the Energy industry focused on implementing technology solutions that will upskill our workforce. Brooke enjoys helping the youth and providing them with support to live out their purpose.

The Need drives

Our Why.

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measure by the compassionate action of its members.”

-Coretta Scott King

The community is impacted greatly when African American youth mental health is not being addressed and talked about.

Our Programs Impact…

The Student

Parents

Youth peers

Volunteers

Community-at-large

After engaging in our programs, students can expect to experience…

Needs Assessment

Stay In Touch!

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Dozie Oheri

Michael Yawson

Johnique Lang

Franka Baly

Tolupe Lawani

Crystal Donatto Brown

Chakema Carmack

Brooke Eben